By Dan Dauw
Geneseo Current
When I wasn’t Old
All families have some “not-so-ordinary” relatives. Here are two brother and sister who went different ways. One for the good, one not so good. Even though the following events happened a long time ago, I best not get into my cousins’ names. I had a lot of cousins on my father’s side of the family.
I’ll put the good first. My oldest cousin was a very bright fellow. He graduated from Notre Dame with a PhD. He had three sisters. The oldest, “MJ,” also very bright, graduated from St. Mary’s University/Notre Dame. She became an author of mystery books and spent a good amount of time in San Juan, PR. She was very successful until an unknown disease took her life. I have one of her books, Remember March. I didn’t like the book, but to each his own.
I have a second cousin, Anny Dauw, who lives in Belgium and has all of MJ’s books. They had become friends, way-back-when. In short, MJ was very bright, a successful author and a fun gal.
Now for the “not-so-good” side of the same family. MJ’s brother, “DD,” got caught up in a big scandal in Chicago involving fake sexual problems on various nationwide TV talk shows. I won’t list the shows, but you would have heard of all of them. Anyway, DD and two others served time in Joliet prison. Sad, really. After serving time, he moved to Florida and I’m sure he was successful whatever his endeavor.
Christmas Walk
It was a nicer Saturday on the 21st for the annual Geneseo Christmas Walk. There might have been a little less folks in attendance, but still there were lots of locals and out of towners.
We again had our Civil War campfire and lots of visitors warmed themselves by the fire. Lorna and I really enjoyed talking with all the nice people. Zack Sullivan and his volunteers did an awesome job with the event. Considering the bad weather the Saturday before it caused some tweaking and the parade was stationary. Zack, Santa Claus and the crowd gave the countdown for the lighting of the new tree.
A special “thank you” to the police for their traffic control. I talked to three of the officers who were very nice and the handcuffs didn’t hardly hurt as I went to jail.
Seriously, we thought the event was really nice and all the many volunteers helped to make it a very nice evening.
Christmas Cards
Each year we mail fewer cards only because some friends and relatives are no longer with us. I’m sure Lorna and I will someday be scratched off some folk’s Christmas card list.
As I’m in the 80s group, I’m pushing the envelope on longevity so wherever my soul shall go I hope I won’t need an air conditioner!!!
We do enjoy reading Christmas letters other than just a signature. Don’t get me wrong, every card is very much appreciated, but it is nice to read about their 2024 happenings.
We received three homemade cards which are really cool. One card even contained an ornament.
Our kids and five grandkids we will see during the Christmas holidays. For New Years eve we and two others have to honor the event at The Cellar. Gotta love that place! Maybe we’ll get Cindy as our server, but they’re all good.
Humor
What kind of nuts always seem to have a cold?
Ans: Cashews.What kind of coffee was served on the Titanic?
Ans: Sank-a.What do you call a sad fruit?
Ans: A blueberry.What do you call cheese that isn’t yours?
Ans: Nacho cheese.How do you make a walnut laugh?
Ans: Crack it up!
‘da Bears
Just two more games after the Lions. It’s been a long season. Yuk!!
Quote of the Week
“I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.”
Pearl Buck
One More Thing
I like driving on Wolf Road at night to see all the outside Christmas lighting by many folks. In our court we all, save one, have such lighting. Geneseo has really beautiful outside Christmas displays both downtown and residential. The small hamlet of Green River has a large corner house that has neat displays. There are really so many awesome displays it is hard to judge the best, but then, why judge, just enjoy!!! Merry Christmas!